Haryana’s Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, has introduced new benefits for Agniveers who complete their four-year service in the armed forces. This announcement was made on Wednesday and reported by ANI.
Age Relaxation for Government Jobs
One of the key benefits includes age relaxation for Agniveers in state public services recruitment. They will get a three-year relaxation in the maximum age limit for government posts in Groups B and C. For the first batch of Agniveers, this age relaxation will be extended to five years. The first group of Agniveers, who joined the armed forces, are expected to complete their tenure by August 2027.
Saini also announced a horizontal reservation for Agniveers in government jobs. They will receive a 5% reservation in direct recruitment for civil posts in Group C and a 1% reservation in Group B. In addition, there will be a 10% reservation for Agniveers in the recruitment of Constables, Mining Guards, Forest Guards, Jail Wardens, and Special Police Officers (SPOs) by the state government.
#WATCH | Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini says "We will provide these Agniveers a relaxation of 3 years in the maximum age prescribed for government posts in Group B and C. In the case of the first batch of Agniveers, this age relaxation will be 5 years. The government will provide… pic.twitter.com/QZtOWrW8l8
— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2024
Subsidies for Private Sector Employment
To encourage the private sector to hire Agniveers, the Haryana government will provide subsidies to industrial units. If an Agniveer is given a salary of more than ₹30,000 per month, the government will provide a subsidy of ₹60,000 per year to that industrial unit.
The Agnipath scheme was announced in June 2022. It recruits personnel below the rank of officers to the Indian armed forces for a short period of four years. After this period, up to 25% of the recruits, known as Agniveers, can join the services on a permanent commission for an additional 15 years, based on merit and other requirements.
Agniveers receive a salary and other risk and hardship allowances. At the end of their service, they also receive approximately ₹11.71 lakhs (including interest) as a lump sum severance package from the Seva Nidhi fund, which is a government-contributed fund.
In case of death while on duty, the family of the Agniveer is entitled to a lump sum of one crore (including the Seva Nidhi) and full pay for the unserved period. For injuries sustained on duty, Agniveers can receive up to ₹44 lakhs as compensation, depending on the extent of their injuries.
The Agnipath scheme has faced opposition primarily because Agniveers do not receive pensions after their short tenure. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, has criticized the scheme, alleging discrimination in the benefits given to the families of slain soldiers. He has called for a review of the scheme, especially during his general election campaign.
The armed forces have also suggested some changes to the government, including raising the upper age limit from 21 to 23 and retaining at least 50% of soldiers after their four-year service.
Haryana is expected to hold its state assembly elections for the 90-member legislative assembly by October 2024. These announcements and benefits for Agniveers could play a significant role in the upcoming elections, influencing public opinion and voter decisions.
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